The Booze - Stick to clear or light-colored liquors, like vodka, tequila, and rum -- these have around 100 calories per shot. Fruit-infused varieties are good too... Malibu Passion Fruit Flavor Caribbean Rum is amazing! HG tip: Always measure alcohol carefully to keep calories in check!

Cocktail Mixers - No-calorie and low-calorie bases for alcoholic beverages are a must. Diet soda and club soda are essential -- I love Sprite Zero. Light juice drinks (like Diet Ocean Spray and Trop50) are also great mixers. Sugar-free powdered drink mix (like Crystal Light) is terrific, since it's low in calories and available in tons of flavors. And keep some lemon or lime juice in the fridge to give your cocktail an extra kick of citrus...

Fruity Add-Ins - Fruit bits packed in juice (canned or jarred) and unsweetened frozen fruit (from berries to peach slices to mango chunks) are great items for whipping up blended beverages. Canned crushed pineapple in juice also works really well in appetizer recipes, like my Sweet-Hot Steak Bites. And frozen strawberries will add flavor AND texture to your freezy drinks, like my Slammin' Slimmed-Down Strawberry Daiquiri. Pick your favorites and experiment. Just be sure to check the labels, and watch out for added sugar or syrup.